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It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.

Edmund Burke

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Edmund Burke
Age: 68 †
Born: 1729
Born: January 12
Died: 1797
Died: July 9
Philosopher
Politician
Statesman
Writer
Dublin city
Men
Constitution
Eternal
Intemperate
Passion
Forge
Free
Fetters
Cannot
Ordained
Character
Virtuous
Mind
Passions
Things
Minds

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England and Ireland may flourish together. The world is large enough for both of us. Let it be our care not to make ourselves too little for it.
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Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
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Contempt is not a thing to be despised. It may be borne with a calm and equal mind, but no man, by lifting his head high, can pretend that he does not perceive the scorns that are poured down on him from above.
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A thing may look specious in theory, and yet be ruinous in practice a thing may look evil in theory, and yet be in practice excellent.
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When you fear something, learn as much about it as you can. Knowledge conquers fear.
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To govern according to the sense and agreement of the interests of the people is a great and glorious object of governance. This object cannot be obtained but through the medium of popular election, and popular election is a mighty evil.
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Nothing so effectually deadens the taste of the sublime as that which is light and radiant.
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Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.
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Law and arbitrary power are at eternal enmity.
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Religion is essentially the art and the theory of the remaking of man. Man is not a finished creation.
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Refined policy ever has been the parent of confusion, and ever will be so as long as the world endures. Plain good intention, which is as easily discovered at the first view as fraud is surely detected at last, is of no mean force in the government of mankind.
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Public calamity is a mighty leveller.
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Politics ought to be adjusted not to human reasonings but to human nature, of which reason is but a part and by no means the greatest part.
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Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power but they will never look to anything but power for their relief.
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Good company, lively conversation, and the endearments of friendship fill the mind with great pleasure.
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To speak of atrocious crime in mild language is treason to virtue.
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Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants.
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The great inlet by which a colour for oppression has entered into the world is by one man's pretending to determine concerning the happiness of another.
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Whilst shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in the heart nor will moderation be utterly exiled from the minds of tyrants.
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